"A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman" - Intro to 'Her Charming Blog'.

The title quote was provided by global advocate for women and girls Melinda Gates, but I'm very happy to borrow it in order to welcome you to my space and Intro to 'Her Charming Blog'!

There's so much to talk about, I hardly know where to start? My sister Viv started the day off by arriving at my house to continue the tiling job in my kitchen that she began yesterday, how's that for Sista Fierce? I got my first mortgage (nearly two years ago) at the grand age of 50, and the house is still a work in progress (kitchen being the most current project). Fixing the many issues, finances and planning on how to decorate and furnish is an ongoing labour of love, with which my sister is my rock and shield.

Anyway, while Viv grafted away on my behalf (move over Handy Andy, the girls have got this), I galivanted off to meet with a wonderful group of Airedale Terriers and their hoomans for some fun and foamy frolics on the very crisp and bright beach at Seaton Carew on the northeast coast of the UK. I never met a doggo that I didn't love and anybody who knows me will testify that I've been obsessed with them from the earliest age. My two Airedales Dougal and Daisy (collectively known as DoubleD) are beautiful, cheeky, mischievous, loving and adored in equal measures. We hold our pets so dear to our hearts that sometimes it's hard not to rattle onto perfect strangers about them isn't it? We can be like the first-time parent showing glassy-eyed work colleagues endless pictures of our baby. Of course, we all believe that ours is the best doggo in the world, and do you know what? We're right.

Victories.

There's nothing quite like a breezy Autumn walk to clear out the cobwebs, don't you think? Victories can be large and small, and going for a group dog-walk with people I'd not met before was definitely one of my small victories today. I'm gradually rousing my body and brain cells from a depressive episode which has been very draining. Socialising and exercising are always key factors in my fight back to wellness. This can sometimes be as simple as stepping out of the front door and saying hello to a neighbour, when it's your core instinct to burrow yourself away behind closed doors and curtains. Small victories.

So! Cobwebs duly whisked by the bracing wind from the North Sea, I decided to initiate victory part deux of the day, and write my opening blog post. How's that for a double whammy?

I'm looking forward to bringing you updates and articles covering themes I've already touched upon such as family, house and home, doggos, physical and mental wellbeing. You will also find other hot topics such as aesthetics, relationships and bariatric surgery as I document the approach of my own weight-loss surgery.

I'm really excited to bring a variety of guests and contributors to spice up my life and yours. Being fortunate to have some amazing and talented people around me with skills and knowledge in so many different fields, it would be criminal for me not to share them with you. And this is the thing...

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

As John Legend sang, 'we're just ordinary people', living everyday lives, yet amongst us and around us people are doing interesting, poignant, diverse, creative, worthwhile, significant jobs, deeds, hobbies and actions. Let's celebrate them, let's promote them, let's share their truths and their motivations. In a celebrity-focused society, let's hear the extraordinary people within our own circles, families, environments and communities.

It feels like my biggest challenge in this field of dreams is knowing where to start, and having enough hours in the day to grasp the limitless threads of inspiration. However, I love a good challenge (nature blessed me with curly hair, if that wasn't good training I don't know what is) so LET'S DO THIS!

Please enrich me with your comments and suggestions, and we can grow and flourish together.

In the words of the one and only, prodigious and legendary David Bowie,

'I'm not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a mortal with potential of a superman'.